The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-07-28
Mr.. COnkling Interviewed Regarding
the Work Now Id Progress.
he Says That Everything Now Points
to Rapid Work on the Road.
And Expresses AstOnishment Regard
ing Current RumOrs Here.
He also Emphatically Denies Travel.
ing on Santa Fe Railroad Pass,
And Brands the Author of the Story
as Base FabricatOr.

A NEWS reporter this morning met
Mr.. L. NJ. Conkling of Kingman, one of
the Kansas directors of the Missouri.
Kansas and Southwestern railroad, and
the gentleman who was most active in
working up the right of way for the
road.
The first question asked was, of
course, as to the present prospects of
road. Mr.. Conklin assured the scribe
that everything was now working
smoothly and the prospects were fair
for speedy building of the entire line.
Had you calculated on starting
work at this time?'' was inquired.
Eyes" was the reply, 1--WE had expect
ed to be throwing dirt long ere this,
but unavoidable obstacles developed
themselves, which it took much labor
and time to remove from the path, be-
fore we could see our way clear to go
ahead"
'But the long delay and the absence
of any reliable news regarding the
proposed roads, have given cause for
considerable comment among our peo-
pie, who have in many instances ex-
pressed themselves as becoming DIS
couraged,' said THE NEWS man.
swell, replied Mr.. c., 81 think that
if any person has had good cause to feel
discouraged it has been myself. Why,
have worked night and day in furth-
erance of this project, and in many in
stances only to be misrepresented and
lied about"
"That reminds me,'' said the pencil
pusher, shat little, scurvy, plate tel
egraph sheet, partially published in
this city, some time ago made the
statement that you had been travelling
over the Santa Fe on a free pass. Is
the assertion true?" st is an abso-
lutte, unqualified falsehood,' emphat-
ically said Mr.. Conkling, land there
is no reason that [ can see why such an
assertion should ever have been made
as have never travelled a mile on the
Santa Fe unless put up my money fol
it. Not a mile, 1 repeat, without the
cash was paid
Mr.. Conkling asked as to who was
the proprietor of the paper that had
made the above assertion, and express
ed great establishment when Informed
that Mr.. Soden, the chairman of the
committee who on behalf of the coun
ty, with himself for the company, ha6
helped draw up the proposition to vote
the bonds, was the reputed proprietor
"Why," said Mr.. Conkling, 81 can moi
see how he, in justice to himself, could
allow such an assertion to appear il
his paper" However, when it was ex
planned to him what kind of an editor
was running the thing he expressed Nc
further establishment.
The subject was here changed, an6
again the building of the road was re
verted to. Mr.. Conkling expresses him
self as well satisfied that the more
serious obstacle have ali been overcome
and that the progress to be made here
after will be swift and sure. WheI
asked as to the number of counties thai
had voted bonds, he said that nearly
ali had done so, and those that had MOI
done so yet they had assurances from
that all would be right. With REGARD
to Usage City refusing to vote bonds
Mr.. G. said that they had never beer
asked to do so by either him or any ont
else authorized by the company.